In response to Dr. Nevers Mumba’s recent open letter (click) to Former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, Mayor Theresa Kolala of Kasama has crafted a poignant message that calls for balanced leadership among Zambia’s political figures. In her letter, she expresses deep respect for Dr. Mumba’s influence and contributions while urging him to adopt a more harmonious approach, particularly concerning the relationship between President Hakainde Hichilema and ECL.
Attached below, her letter emphasizes the critical need for consistent and fair leadership in these challenging times, highlighting Dr. Mumba’s potential role as a reconciler in uniting the nation for a brighter future.
Dear Dr. Nevers Mumba,
I write this letter to you as the Mayor of Kasama, your former neighbor if you remember and know KT 424 in Riverside Kitwe, as someone who believed in you from long ago and also as a concerned Zambian citizen. Your recent open letter to Former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu was an interesting read, and I agree that your words carry weight. However, I must question whether this advice would be even more impactful if it came from a place of balance. Unfortunately, many of us in Zambia have noticed that your stance seems inconsistent, particularly when it comes to the current administration and President Hakainde Hichilema (HH). We Love ECL as a former and immediate past President of the Republic of Zambia and we also Love HH as a current President of the Republic of Zambia. If you are a former VEEP that has the Zambian people at heart you would be the one to bring peace that would harmonize HH’s house and ECL’s and as such we can all embrace one another and live in harmony.
You once labeled President Hichilema as “non-Christian” and questioned his ability to lead a Christian nation. Yet today, despite glaring issues in his leadership, you’ve remained notably silent. When he referred to Lungu as “kutumpa” (foolish) and made violent remarks like “mingalato,” you did not speak out. You had the opportunity to be a bridge between these two leaders, but instead, you have remained quiet on their ongoing personal feud, a rift that continues to divide Zambia.
In your Facebook post, I commented, “Have you been sincere in your leadership? Zambia must have been saved long ago, but awe sure tamutwafwa. Nangu mulembe ifitali, it simply shows that mulipancito.” The public needs more than words; they need action. Your leadership is under scrutiny because of your silence on key issues.
Selective Criticism
While you offer well-thought-out advice to Lungu, many Zambians feel you have neglected to address the shortcomings of the current administration. Chanda John Chimba rightly pointed out, “The current president called ECL names when ECL was president. Show us a statement where you condemned that.” This inconsistency raises concerns about the sincerity of your leadership. How can we trust your advice when it appears so one-sided?
There are pressing issues facing Zambia today, including the high cost of living, load shedding, and a worrying power deficit. Yet, we have not heard you address these matters publicly. As someone respected for your voice in the political and religious spheres, why have you not spoken out? It feels as though you pick your battles, often at the expense of fairness and balance.
The Public’s Reaction
Your open letter has sparked considerable conversation on social media. People are questioning your motivations and the reasons for making this letter public rather than addressing Lungu privately.
Kezo Moses Mpali asked:
“Why choose to bring this to social media? Why not seek his audience and talk? Nonetheless, I love and admire your urge to build. God bless you.”
This reflects the confusion many of us feel about your approach. Why engage in public commentary when private discussions could yield more meaningful reconciliation? Remember ECL is the immediate past President and the only surviving father of the nation.
Silence on Major Issues
You have also remained silent on issues that affect ordinary Zambians, such as the police’s behavior toward the opposition and the suspension of the three Constitutional Court judges—a move many see as politically motivated. It’s troubling that while you express concerns over Lungu’s statements, you haven’t spoken up about actions by the current government that have raised eyebrows. These actions have led to bitterness among many, as people feel justice is being selectively applied.
Bupe Bwembya was right to say, “I totally disagree with this biased piece of advice. I find it to be hypocritical and unbalanced, especially that in the recent past, there have been many occurrences that demanded your comment but as expected, you kept quiet.” Your leadership should be about consistency, fairness, and calling out wrongs, regardless of who is in power then you serve the purpose of a Former VEEP.
Police Brutality and Reconciliation
We have seen an alarming rise in police brutality toward opposition members. This should concern all leaders, especially those who have championed peace and democracy. As a man of God, your voice on these matters is needed. You should be leading the charge in calling for fairness and the protection of all Zambians, regardless of their political affiliation. Your silence on this issue is deafening. This calls for other political figures that have been long in the arena of politics, please be the change that this Country needs to see and emulate.
In your position, you could also play a pivotal role in reconciling the personal animosity between Lungu and HH. Instead of deepening the divide, you could bridge it, bringing these two leaders together for the good of the country. Yet, you have not taken that step. Many of us expected you to be the reconciler in this moment of national tension.
Final Thoughts
Dr. Mumba, your advice would carry far more weight if it were offered with balance and sincerity. The Zambian people are watching, and they are looking for leadership that is not only vocal when it comes to one side of the political spectrum but that holds all leaders accountable. In times like these, when the cost of living continues to rise and power shortages affect families, your silence on these key issues speaks volumes.
As I mentioned in my Facebook comment, “Have you been sincere in your leadership? Zambia must have been saved long ago, but awe sure tamutwafwa.” We need more than speeches and open letters. Am one person that was overjoyed by your TV program ‘ZAMBIA SHALL BE SAVED’ and will dash to listen to it with a lot of excitement because we indeed wanted Zambia to be saved. We need leaders who stand for justice and fairness across the board. Am a Mayor of Kasama and a leader in the community of Kasama and by all fairness I serve as both a Civic Leader and a Christian.
The Zambian people expect more from you, and it’s not too late for you to rise to that expectation. Be the voice of balance, be the peacemaker, and most importantly, be consistent in your leadership it will help you in your future endeavors.
Sincerely,
Theresa Kolala
Mayor of Kasama
Word. Ushumfwa pa tunono, napa fingi teti omfwe. Salute you, madam
Nevers Mumba is a man of gold not of God,he is a kadansa ,he is morally bankrupt,there is nothing he can say which any normal person can take because it’s always motivated by pay so forget him your worship
First, if SATA had not died and Lungu was a vengeful person Nevas Mumba and Rupiah Banda would have been appearing in the courts of law. But to Lungu it’s like these two have had no case. These cases just melted away quietly. As for HH if he didn’t do what he did in Mongu, he would not have tasted Mukobeko.
Nevas loves luxury and he would team up with the devil if the devil can facilitate this life.
Check your records and you will find that Sata and his PF removed RB’s immunity and took him to court
@Doug because of your origins and Upnd membership you have failed to understand what I am saying. Yes Sata wanted to crucify Rupiah that’s I am saying. You are the one who check the records.
I hope Lt won’t block me as they have done since July 2024.
Nervers Mumba Sekwila nimpelwa mano. He can’t think properly because HH has put him on a salary. He’s got witchcraft mentality. He’s survived this far through the betrayal of others. It started with his friend Sefuke at Evelyn Hone
Typical in Zambian discussions including the one we are responding to, attack the person and forget the message. We are busy discussing Mr Mumba rather than the facts ir non facts, merits or demerits of the contents of his letter. All spheres of development will be a big challenge to achieve with these kind of mindsets. It seems normal on both sides of our politics to defend wrong with wrong, rather than learn lessons, alas we get into our defensive modes.
Nevers is a proven opportunist, he will rather side with where it is warm, of course MMD has no members now, that is the reason why it cannot even participate in any bye election, but to appear relevant he has to side with the powers that be.
When Nevers was being sent as an opposition envoy to the Mwanawasa government, instead of pushing the opposition agenda, he went to negotiate for his position to become vice president despite not having any leadership skills
Wynter Kabimba has joined the group these so called leaders are cheap
My advice to PF is that find a sober leader. Not Lungu nor Sampa. All this hullabaloo about the constitution is about the ill-fated alebwelelapo project. Not to serve the country but quash his plunder cases and continue looting and cadreism. Why didn’t anyone speak up when Lungu was threatening the same judges not to do the Kenya way at a rally in Solwezi. We have good laws but we bend them when it suits us and cry foul when other bend the same good laws. What is good the goose must be good for the gander
To be fair you have to defend the excessive corruption? The abuse of citizens and the governance that we went through, most of which was illegal? I think we are using the word FAIR to suit and justify our own reckless over the top, excessive abuse we heaped on our people. These guys in government are not angels and are capable if not checked to repeat the past abuses and hence the need to be alert.
In being fair, the excesses of abuse of the past far ourweigh those of the moment. It is not right, but balanced, fair criticism would require to proportion the level of culpability.
Nevers, in case you have jumped off the bus, the elephant in the room is loadshedding, forget Lungu please.And I wonder why there is so much talk on the drought when our economic fortunes were going down even before the drought. Excuse after excuse
Ba Theresa there’s nothing we can do for you to understand because you’re intoxicated with the Defunct TuPF criminals government
Are you sure you have forgotten about the way we suffered under your ECL government? Can you compare the tranquility in the country under HH7 to that of ECL? The way we’re brutalized, murdered, your fellow women losing their husbands in broad daylight, undressed in public, the amount of theft of public resources some of which were grabbed from his wife yesterday, iyo wampapusha kanamayo iwe
But we are suffering more now. Everything is more expensive now than in Lungu’s time. Even before the drought, the new dawn prices were by far higher something which Nevers won’t see for now, especially with the few presidential assignments being given to him
Who is going to eat tranquility?
Exaggerated.
Young lady there’s nothing praiseworthy under your ECL, if anything he should just be apologizing to Zambians by now
HH7 is just human bound to make mistakes but his leadership can’t be compared to your little god ECL
You wear Defunct TuPF regalia, you are a mayor under UPND ND government, have you ever been bullied? How many Zambians have died from political or police brutality since HH7 assumed office? You saw that marketeer in chilenje always in blood for supporting UPND
Anyway mucalo tamubula fiwelewele
Please Theresa leave Nevers alone because what your former President is doing is inappropriate
Who cares? Zambians deserve the leaders they elect….
I have been around this country to understand Zambians very well. They call themselves one nations but as a matter of fact we are not one. They even publicly say we love love each other but privately we hate each side passionately and say wako ni wako. Some say HH and ECL should reconcile. What they are saying in reality is yes we know ECL was a brutal dictator but please just pardon him for any wrong that he did because after all he hails from former North Eastern Rhodesia and the country called Zambia is not for people from the Zambezi region. This is why it is hard for me to take the Mayor of Kasama seriously.
I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANY PERSON IN THIS COUNTRY CALLED ZAMBIA WHO HAS RISEN ON Dr. NEVERS MUMBA’S THROAT SURVIVE A 10 YEARS LIFE SPAN.
CHECK THE POWERFUL PEOPLE WHO WANTED NEVERS MUMBA DEAD OR EMBARRANCED ARE THEY STILL AROUND?
IF THEY ARE AROUND WHICH PLACE DO THEY VISIT MOST IF NOT COURTS, PRISON AND HOSPITAL???
WATCH YOUR TONGUE AND HOW YOU SPEAK TO THIS MAN IT IS JUST A FREE ADVICE.
Love him or hate him, you gotta admit Nevers Mumba is still better looking both physically and morally than Edgar Chagwa Lungu.
At the end of the day what does matter is to speak one’s mind rather than remain mute. After all, we all have rights to our own opinions.
Was told his wife is a slay queen that is why he is the way he is today.. Marry wisely!!!!!